Tilted roller caster

ABSTRACT

THIS SPECIFICATION DISCLOSES A CASTER IN WHICH A ROLLER IS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON AN AXIS DISPOSED AT FORTY-FIVE DEGREES TO THE VERTICAL WITH THE UPPER PORTION OF THE ROLLER BEING ROTATABLY RECEIVED IN A DOWNWARDLY OPENING HOUSING AND PROVIDED WITH AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE IN THE ZONE OF OVERLAPPING PORTIONS OF THE ROLLER AND HOUSING TO EXCLUDE FOREIGN MATTER FROM THE LATTER AND MAINTAIN FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE TO ROTATION AT A MINIMUM. THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE ROLLER IS INTEGRALLY JOINED TO THE CYLINDRICAL WALL THEREOF BY A BEVELLED OR ROUNDED STRUCTURE THAT INCLUDES AN ANNULAR GROOVE EXTENDING UPWARDLY WITH THE GROOVE DEFINING A FLEXIBLE ROLLING WALL THAT WILL GIVE UNDER PRESSURE. THE BOTTOM TOGETHER WITH THE INNER WALL OF THE GROOVE ARE SUPPORTED BY A SPIDER COMPRISING SIX WEBS THAT ARE INTEGRALLY JOINED TO A CENTRAL HUB MEMBER, THE BOTTOM, AND GROOVED WALL STRUCTURE AFORESAID.

March 16, 1971 J. cLosA 3,570,041

TILTED ROLLER CASTER Filed June 27. ,1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT ORJOSE CLOSA ATTORNEY March 16, 1 971 J. CLQSA I TILTED ROLLER CASTERFiled June 27, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet I H a 7 .5 4 O 7. I f 8 5 1L3 L 6\ 7A a n n w X ATTORNEY March 16, 1971 LQ TILTED ROLLER CASTER 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 27. 1968 INVENTOR JOSE CLOSA ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent 3,570,041 TILTED ROLLER CASTER Jose Closa, Barcelona,Spain, assignor to Super Caster C0rp., Miami, Fla. Filed June 27, 1968,Ser. No. 740,658 Int. Cl. A47b 9/100 US. Cl. 16-45 6 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE This specification discloses a caster in which a rolleris rotatably mounted on an axis disposed at forty-five degrees to thevertical with the upper portion of the roller being rotatably receivedin a downwardly opening housing and provided with an outwardly extendingflange in the Zone of overlapping portions of the roller and housing toexclude foreign matter from the latter and maintain frictionalresistance to rotation at a minimum. The bottom wall of the roller isintegrally joined to the cylindrical wall thereof by a bevelled orrounded structure that includes an annular groove extending upwardlywith the groove defining a flexible rolling wall that will give underpressure. The bottom together with the inner wall of the groove aresupported by a spider comprising six webs that are integrally joined toa central hub member, the bottom, and grooved wall structure aforesaid.

The present invention relates to casters of the type in which a rolleris rotatably mounted on an axis disposed at an angle of forty-fivedegrees with respect to the vertical and in concerned primarily withcertain improvements which improve the service usage and characteristicsof such a caster.

One form of a caster of the type with which this invention is concernedordinarily includes a metallic main frame in the form of a U with oneleg longer than the other and bent back upon itself to form an angle offorty-five degrees with the unbent portion. A casing of plastic orcomparable material covers the two portions of the bent leg, the back ofthe U frame, and presents a downwardly opening housing defined by a topwall and a cylindrical skirt into which the shorter unbent leg extends.The upper part of the bent leg carries means for securing the caster toa piece of furniture while a roller is rotatably mounted on the unbentleg with the upper portion of the roller being located within thehousing in overlapping relation therewith.

The roller may be of a metal such as aluminum but preferably is of aplastic having required properties of strength, elasticity, flexibilityand hardness such as nylon. In structure it comprises a central core orhub member that receives the unbent leg of the U frame, a circular endwall integral therewith, a beveled or rounded corner structureintegrally joined to the end wall, a cylindrical wall integral with thecorner structure, and a spider supporting said corner structure from thehub and bottom.

In use the roller rolls on its bevelled or rounded edge. This means itrotates relative to the frame leg and housing. There is a strongpossibility that dirt, dust or other foreign matter will enter into thespace between the skirt of the housing and cylindrical roller wall. Atfirst glance it might appear that the obvious way to guard against thisundesirable condition would be to merely provide a very close fitbetween these two parts. However, such a close fit would materiallyincrease the frictional resistance to rotation of the roller which wouldbe equally undesirable.

With these conditions in mind, the invention has, as an importantobject, the provision, in a tilted roller caster of the type noted, ofan outwardly extending flange ice on the roller in the area of theoverlap between the roller and housing. In any of several locationswhich this flange may take it will constitute an effective guard againstforeign matter entering into the space aforesaid.

A somewhat more detailed object is to provide a flange of the characteraforesaid which is defined by an outer and upper tapered or conicalsurface. This structural formation readily lends itself to shaping theflange when the roller is of aluminum.

Another object is to provide, in a caster roller of the characterindicated, an overhanging flange defined by upper and lower conicalsurfaces. This form may be readily made when the roller is of nylon.

In the known tilted roller casters the structure presenting the bevelledor rounded corner on which the roller rolls is hard and unyielding.While attempt has been made to remedy this undesirable condition byproviding a softer rubber ring at this corner such arrangements havecertain inherent defects particularly in requiring an extra part and theattendant possibility of the ring becoming disassembled and lost.

With this factor in mind a further yet highly important object in viewis to provide, in a tilted roller caster of the kind noted, a rounded orbevelled corner structure which includes an annular groove opening intothe end wall of the roller and which groove defines a thin flexible wallon which the roller rides during use.

From actual usage it has been found desirable, if not absolutelynecessary, that the rounded or bevelled corner structure be adequatelysupported from the end wall and core member of the roller. Moreover thisneed is emphasized when the groove aforesaid is included. The spidersheretofore provided for this purpose have not proven to be entirelysatisfactory.

Thus another object is to provide, in a tilted roller caster of the typenoted, a roller having a spider comprising six equiangularly spaced webswhich support the bevelled or rounded corner from the core and end wall.

In a modified form of a tilted caster the metallic U- shaped frame isomitted and its supporting function performed by a rigid plastic casingpresenting two wells or sockets the axes of which are at an angularrelation of forty-five degrees. One of these wells assumes a verticalposition when attached to a piece of furniture. The other receives atilted roller.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved journal connection between the vertical well and the furniturepiece. In attaining this end the well is lined with a nylon sleevehaving an inwardly extending flange adjacent to its lower end andpresenting a retaining shoulder. Its upper end is enlarged to provide abearing race. A stub shaft is afiixed to the furniture piece and isformed with a lower end flange which rides past the sleeve flange andengages the shoulder thereon to maintain the assembled relation. Anouter flange at the upper end cooperates with the bearing race tomaintain bearings therein.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention,such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in apractical embodiment, will in part become apparent, and in part behereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention referencemay be had to the following description and accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation of oneembodiment of this invention as applied to a furniture piece;

FIG. 2 is vertical section taken about on the planes represented by thelines 2-2 of FIG. 1 and depicting the roller in elevation;

FIG. 3 is a perspective developing the several elements of a completecaster in exploded relation;

FIG. 4 is a section through the roller and associated structure, beingtaken about on the plane represented by the line 4-4 of FIG. :2;

FIG. 4a is a detailed section taken on an enlarged scale through onewall of the roller illustrating a modified form of the dust guardflange;

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective of the metallic frame per see;

FIG. 6 is a detailed section through the roller, being taken about onthe plane represented by the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a modifiedform of caster;

FIG. 8 is a section through the roller and associated structure of theform of FIG. 7, being taken about on the plane represented by the line8-8 of FIG. 7, with the furniture attaching part shown in elevation; and

FIG. 9 is a section through the roller of FIGS. 7 and 8, being takenabout on the plane represented by the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more particularly to FIGS. 1 to6 inclusive one embodiment of the invention will be described. Ametallic frame is shown in detail in FIG. 5 and identified in itsentirety by the reference character F. It is of generally U shapecomprising a leg 10, a back or base 11 joined to the leg by a bend 12,and another leg made up of parts 13 and 14 bent at an angle offorty-five degrees with respect to each other. The leg part 13 is joinedto the back 11 by a bend 15. Adjacent its free end the leg 10 is formedwith an annular groove 16 and a similar groove 17 is formed in the legpart 14 adjacent to its free end which may be rounded as illustrated.

A piece of furniture of the type which is provided with casters is shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 and designated 18. In most instances it will be ofwood. It has an underface 19 into which opens a socket 20. This socketmay be of any cross section but in a preferred embodiment it is squareas illustrated.

An anchor plug is referred to in its entirety by the reference characterA (FIGS. 2 and 3). It is preferably of plastic and comprises a body 21having an outer contour corresponding to the shape of the socket 20.Thus it is square. This body 21 has a small flange or bead 22 which fitswithin the lower open end of the socket that is slightly enlarged forits reception. The body 21 is securely affixed to the piece 18 withinthe socket 20 as by glue shown at 23. The body 21 is formed with acylindrical bore 24 that is counterbored at its opposite ends as shownat 25 and 26.

A stud 27, preferably of metal is snugly received in the bore 24 and itslower end projects below the counterbored ends 25 of the body 21. It isformed with an auxillary socket 28 that is shaped and dimensional toreceive the leg part 14 of the frame F. An expansion split spring ring29 is received in the groove 17 and serves to maintain the stud 27assembled in the auxillary socket 28.

A plastic housing is identified in its entirety by the referencecharacter H. It comprises a portion 30 that encases the leg parts 13 and14 of frame F, a part 31 (FIG. 3) that houses the back 11, and adome-like portion 32 which receives the leg 10 and the upper portion ofa roller to be mounted thereon.

The housing part 32 has a downwardly extending boss 33 (FIG. 4) throughwhich the leg 10 passes and extends therebelow. It also has an outerskirt 34 presenting an inner cylindrical surface 35.

A roller is identified in its entirety by the reference character R. Itmay be of any material having desired properties of strength, hardness,flexibility and wear resistance. Thus it may be of metal such asaluminum or a 4 plastic such as nylon. In the form of FIGS. 1 to 6 it isshown as being of nylon.

The roller R has an end wall 36 from which upstands a central core 37defining a cylindrical recess 38 in which the frame leg 10 isjournalled. A split ring expansion spring 39 in groove 16 maintains theassembled relation of roller R on leg 10. Also upstanding from the endwall 36 is an outer cylindrical wall 40 that is dimensioned to beloosely fitted in the skirt 34, being spaced from the inner surfacethereof as shown in FIG. 4.

In the zone in which the skirt 34 and wall overlap or interfit thelatter is formed with an outwardly extending flange 41 which just aboutengages the surface 35 whereby it functions as a guard to prevent dirt,dust, or other foreign matter from entering the dome housing part 32.

Referring for the moment to FIG. 4a a slightly modified form of dustflange is therein depicted. Thus the wall 40 is provided with anoverhanding undercut flange 42.

At the peripheral edge of the end wall 36 where it is joined to the wall40 the outer surface is bevelled or rounded, or a combination of the twoas shown at 43. In use the roller R rides or rolls on this surface 43which engages the floor surface 44.

Extending for an appreciable distance from the end wall 36 is athickened wall structure 45 and this thickened wall is formed with anannular groove or recess 46 which opens onto the outer surface of theend wall 36. The presence of this groove 46 results in a thin wall orlip 47 which is more flexible and yieldable than is the remaining rollerstructure. This flexible lip 47 provides better riding action as theroller R rolls over the floor 44.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 6 six Webs 48 are shown asextending between the wall 40 and the core 37. These webs lend strengthand rigidity to the roller structure. The core 37 may be formed at itsupper end with a pair of diametrically opposed tabs 49 which arereceived in a groove 50 formed in leg 10. This arrangement aids in thefunction of maintaining the roller R assembled on the leg 10.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and9. In this form a housing designated generally H provides the solestructural support between the tilted roller and the part affixed to thefurniture piece. Thus the housing H comprises a well structure 51 at oneend and a downwardly opening dome-like well or socket structure 52 atthe other end with the two being joined by a back corresponding to theback 30 of the forms of FIGS. 1 to 6. This housing H may be of anymaterial such as metal or plastic.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 7 a furniture piece is shown at53. It has an underface 54 to which the caster is secured by a bracket55 and wood screws 56. The bracket 55 has an offset central portion 57which accommodates a head 58 on a stud 59 that passes through anaperture in the offset portion 57.

The stud 59 has an external flange 60 adjacent the socket portion 57 anda curved portion 61 immediately therebeneath. From this curved portion61 a shank 62 extends to a conical part 63. Below the latter is acylindrical portion 64 terminating in an end flange 65 presenting anabrupt shoulder 66.

The well structure 51 is formed with a cylindrical socket 67 that isenlarged at 68 with a shoulder 69 between the two, a sleeve 70 of aplastic having good bearing properties such as nylon has an upperenlarged cup-like portion 71. The inner surface 72 of the latter isjoined to an annular shoulder 73 by a rounded corner 74. These surfaces72, 73 and 74 cooperate with flange 60 and rounded undersurface 61 toprovide a bearing race receiving ball bearings 75.

Projecting into the bore of sleeve 70 is a flange 76 presenting an upperconical or tapered surface 77 and a lower abrupt shoulder 78.

The mode of assembling the stud 59 in the well structure 51 is believedto be obvious. The nylon sleeve 70 is secured in the housing as by apressed fit. With the bearings 75 in the race the stud 59' is insertedinto the sleeve 70 and when the end flange 65 engages the conicalsurface 77 the nylon sleeve is distorted sufficiently to permit theflange 65 to ride past the flange 76. When this occurs the shoulders 66and 78 engage to establish the assembled relation. If the stud can bewithdrawn, it can be accomplished only with great force.

FIG. 8 depicts a slightly modified form of roller which is designatedgenerally R. It is preferably of aluminum and comprises an end wall '79and a circular wall 80. The outer surface of the upper end portion ofthe latter is formed with a conical flange 81 presenting a bottomshoulder 82. This flange 8'1 acts as a dust guard in the same way aseither of the flanges 41 of FIG. 4 or the flange 42 of FIG. 4a.

The roller R' includes a core 83 having a bore receiving a stub shaft84, the upper end of which is anchored to an inner central boss 85 ofthe dome housing part 52. An expansion split ring spring 86 received ina groove 87 in shaft 84 secures the assembly.

Where the outer surface of wall 80 joins the bottom surface of end wall79 a bevel 88 is provided. As shown the recess 46 and accompanyingflexible wall 47 of FIGS. 1 to 6 are omitted. If included the bevel 88would be replaced by a rounded surface comparable to the rounded surface43 of FIGS. 1 to 6.

As depicted in FIG. 8 six webs 89 extend between the wall 80 and core 83to add rigidity to the structure.

While preferred specific embodiments of the invention are hereinbeforeset forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not tobe limited to the exact con structions, materials, and devicesillustrated and described :because various modifications of thesedetails may be provided in putting the invention into practice withinthe purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a titled caster including a support presenting a Well structureadapted to be secured to a furniture piece in a vertical position and adownwardly opening circular casing having an axis disposed at an anglewith respect to said well structure; means for securing said wellstructure to a furniture piece, and a roller rotatably assembled in saidcasing in overlapped relation therewith and having an end wall with aperipheral surface adapted to ride on a floor surface; the improvementconsisting of: an outwardly extending flange on said roller in the zoneof the overlap with the casing and constituting a guard for preventingforeign matter from entering said casing.

2. The titled caster of claim 1 in which said flanges has an upperconical surface and a lower undercut shoulder.

3. The titled caster of claim 1 in which the flange is formed at theupper end of the roller and is defined by an upwardly tapering conicalsurface and a lower abrupt shoulder.

4. The titled caster of claim 1 in which said support includes ametallic frame of U shape providing two legs one of which comprises twoparts at an angle with respect to each other with one of said partsbeing received in said well structure, the other of said legs beingreceived in said casing, and a back connecting said legs.

5. The titled caster of claim 1 in which said support comprises aplastic housing and a metallic frame received in the housing.

6. In a titled caster including a support presenting a well structureadapted to be secured to a furniture piece in a vertical position and adownwardly opening circular casinghaving an axis disposed at an anglewith respect to said well structure; means for securing said wellstructure to a furniture piece, and a roller rotatably assembled in saidcasing in overlapped relation therewith and having an end wall with aperipheral surface adapted to ride on a floor surface; the improvementconsisting of: a novel roller including an end wall having a bottomsurface and a cylindrical wall having an outer surface with saidsurfaces being joined by a rounded surface constituting said peripheralsurface, and a flexible lip at the lower end of said cylindrical Walland defined by an annular recess entering said end wall from the bottomsurface thereof at said rounded surface, said roller having a dust guardin the zone of the overlap between said roller and easing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,060,488 10/1962 Skupas et al16-45 FOREIGN PATENTS 894,763 4/1962 Great Britain.

BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner D. L. TROUTMAN, Assistant Examiner

